Issue 319 – July 4, 2012

By AskAndy on July 3, 2012 in 2012

INDEPENDENCE DAY

The usual day we make resolutions for ourselves is January first. I think today—Independence Day—may be even better. Here are my Independence Day resolutions…

o As Scoutmaster, I will train and guide the Scouts in my troop to lead themselves.

o As Scoutmaster, I will make sure the troop I serve has a Patrol Leaders Council and I will keep myself from speaking at their meetings.

o As Cubmaster, I will step back from running the entire pack.

o As Cubmaster, I will encourage all dens to participate in our pack meetings, even when that means I have to cancel the clown and the reptile folks and give the meeting to the dens and their Cubs.

o As Venturing Crew Advisor I will step way back as these capable teens plan, organize, and run their own program.

o As a Den Leader, I will treat the boys entrusted to me as if they were my own.

o As Committee Chair, I will recruit new blood and give them rein to manage their self-selected responsibilities.

o As Unit Commissioner, I will offer counsel and guide the volunteers of the units I serve to discover their own solutions to situations.

o As District Commissioner, I will recruit and personally train if need be the people who will provide counsel to our unit volunteers; I will support the Commissioners in my charge, counsel those who may go astray, and replace those not fitting this diplomatic role.

o As District Chair, I will assure a complete complement of district-level volunteers who have chosen and know their responsibilities, and I will step aside so that they can carry them out.

o As a District-level volunteer, I will support my district and council in achieving its goals and I will not engage in or permit disparagement of my district, my council, or the BSA.

o As a council-level volunteer, I will support all efforts of our districts in whatever ways I’m able.

o As Council President, I will engender and contribute to goodwill and forward-thinking throughout our executive board and council committee.

o As a Scout parent, I will support my son’s interests and never demand that he choose between Scouting and other natural activities. I will study the Scouting program and insist that the volunteers to whom I’ve entrusted my son provide a complete and correct Scouting program.

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

About AskAndy

Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.

Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography

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